Explore all 3D printing solutions offered by GKN Powder Metallurgy through our two brands —

Forecast 3D

and

GKN Additive

Bridge Manufacturing

The Bridge to Conventional Manufacturing

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Smooth transition to mass production
Test multiple designs for product iterations
Bridge tooling delays and long lead times

Bridge Manufacturing Explained

Use 3D printing to produce low to high volume runs of a part while ramping up production with traditional methods. Perfect designs, establish supply chains, test the market, sell limited series product - beat the market.

<1 week

Average lead time

50+

Materials to choose from

Time is $

Sell product now

Validated Applications

Bridge Manufacturing with 3D Printing Benefits

Accelerate New Products

With bridge production, 3D printing serves as a “bridge” to a conventional manufacturing process.

Supply Chain Delays & Lead Times

Tooling delays, long lead times, and supply chain delays are all to common place. Bridge production is an affordable way to sell product while solving the delays.

No Tooling Required

Skip tooling and start bridge production to fulfill quantities from as low as 100 to over 50,000.

Product Validation

Focus on creating product demand, tuning the product, qualifying multiple designs - all while selling product and gaining insightful customer feedback.

“GKN Additive (Forecast 3D) exceeded expectations.”

Christine Bardsley

GM design release engineer

Services

Choose the Best Option for Each Project

Rapid Prototyping

Test fit, form, and function with dozens of materials and finishes.

Production

Whether producing 100 parts or one million, start producing with 3D Printing.

Scale-Up/Pilot Plant

Scale-up solutions and pilot plants reduce risk and increase efficiency of while ramping into full production.

Bridge Manufacturing

Bridge Manufacturing uses 3D printing to cost-effectively test designs, produce during tooling/shipping delays, and get to market faster.

Applications

Products enhanced and/or enabled by 3D printing. Explore validated applications that allow for scalability.